The NHS in the North West now has a service implemented in every area ensuring anyone over the age of 18 has access to a community crisis response service within two hours in their own home or community setting, if their health suddenly deteriorates, or they are in in crisis.

This includes people with underlying chronic conditions, who are at risk of hospital attendance or admission, with the aim of supporting their health needs at home, by multi-disciplinary teams responding quickly to changes in their condition, negating the need for an admission to hospital or having to travel to a GP Practice.

Once referred to the service, people will be triaged and have a short assessment to establish what support is needed, and where required a member of the crisis response team will be deployed within two hours.

The Urgent Community Response service (UCR) is now available 8am to 8pm seven days a week across the North West. It means that people won’t have to visit Emergency Departments, which can often incur long waiting times and cause unnecessary distress for people who would be more appropriately treated in their own home.

It will also help reduce the number of people who have to attend Emergency Departments when they can receive the right care in the right place (i.e. home first) at the right time.

People can be referred either by the 111 service, or by their GP Practice or other health professional – and there are providers across the north west who are able to respond quickly.

Early indications show that patient experience has improved, there are faster response times, and access to treatment for people who need it, and people are supported to remain in their own homes.